Method and arrangement pertaining to microwave lenses

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of simplifying the provision of microwave lenses in particular, but not exclusively, when microwave lenses are disposed in the close proximity of antenna elements ( 3 ) in devices ( 1; 1.1 ) for transmitting and/or receiving microwave radiation. According to the invention, a microwave lens is formed from a droplet ( 11; 11.1 ) of material that refract microwave radiation. The droplet ( 11; 11.1 ) assumes a predetermined shape in a liquid state, said shape depending chiefly on external limitations, the volume of material used and the properties of the material. The droplet ( 11; 11.1 ) is then allowed to solidify while retaining said assumed shape. The invention relates to devices and methods relating to this simplified provision of microwave lenses.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a device for transmitting or receiving microwave radiation, the method comprising the steps of: 
       arranging at least one microwave lens in the close proximity of at least one antenna element for the microwave range; and  
       producing at least one of the at least one microwave lens in the form of a droplet of material that refracts microwave radiation, wherein the droplet in a liquid state assumes a predetermined shape, whereafter the droplet is allowed to solidify while retaining the assumed shape.  
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of arranging the droplet such that at least one of the at least one antenna element will be encapsulated by the droplet. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the droplet material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the droplet material includes thermosetting resin. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of supplying the droplet material with an additive that influences the shape taken by the liquid droplet. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the step of supplying the droplet material with an additive that influences the surface tension of the droplet. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the additive that influences the surface tension of the droplet includes a thixotropic substance. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of supplying the droplet material with an additive that influences the capacity of the droplet material to refract microwave radiation. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising the step of supplying the material with an additive that influences the dielectric constant of the droplet material. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the additive that influences the dielectric constant of the material includes barium titanate or magnesium titanate. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of disposing the droplet in a frame that influences the shape taken by the droplet in a liquid state. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of solidifying the droplet by means of a curing process. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material has a relative dielectric constant greater than ten. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of arranging the droplet with the aid of a dispenser. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of mounting at least one of the antenna elements on a carrier element. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the carrier element is a microwave chip. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of enclosing the carrier element within the droplet. 
     
     
       18. A device for transmitting or receiving microwave radiation that comprises at least one antenna element for the microwave range, and at least one microwave lens disposed in the close proximity of at least one of the at least one antenna element, wherein at least one of the at least one microwave lens is comprised of a solidified droplet of material that refracts microwave radiation. 
     
     
       19. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the droplet encapsulates at least one of the at least one antenna element. 
     
     
       20. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the droplet material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
       21. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the droplet material is a thermosetting resin. 
     
     
       22. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the droplet material includes an additive that influences the ability of the material to refract microwave radiation. 
     
     
       23. The device according to  claim 22 , wherein the droplet material includes an additive that influences the dielectric constant of the material. 
     
     
       24. The device according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the at least one antenna element is mounted on a carrier element. 
     
     
       25. The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the droplet encapsulates the carrier element.